Excellent work, Bonnie. Thank you for tracking the public record vs. the current campaign hyperbole finding value in mayor candidate Kristen Sneddon.
Long term observation of Sneddon's conduct and actions on city council have found find her totally lacking in both leadership or even basic understanding of the scope her job. Shame on the Montecito Journal for being so sloppy and egregiously biased in favor of a person so lacking in both qualities.
Sneddon's very recent public stumbles and admission she knows very little about the city budget should have triggered a five alarm flashing red light. She "feels" rent control works. She admits she doesn't understand the perilous state of city finances. Yet Journal's only response was to puff her up beyond all local recognition. What is in this for the Montecito Journal?
BTW: When will employee union contributions to political candidates fall under this following code section when it comes time to "return the campaign favors" in future collective bargaining session with those very same city employee union campaign supporters?
Bonnie reports: "Under Government Code Section 84308, contributions exceeding $500 from certain parties or participants can trigger disclosure and disqualification requirements in covered proceedings involving permits, licenses, contracts or other entitlements."
Thank you Bonnie for having the receipts and calling out the dishonest local media. The core issue for me is the non-stop dishonesty in local news coverage, always tipping the scales in favor of lefty politicians and causes.
Such was the case on Wednesday’s coverage by the flunkies at KEYT concerning the TPUSA at Cal Poly. Yes, apparently the auditorium at Poly was packed with enthusiastic young conservatives to hear among other speakers, Tulsi Gabbard and Riley Gaines, who was described as an “anti trans activist,” by KEYT nitwit, Jarrod Zinn.
The event was a big success with local conservatives, but you would never know this based on the overwhelming negative coverage by our local ABC affiliate. Specifically, their coverage focused on police presence, promotion of trans rights and alleged bigotry on the right. Interviewing only those with leftist grievance and virtually nothing from the actual attendees.
The segment showed a half empty auditorium, trying to give the impression that it was barely attended.
Shame on KEYT,
Clash of the Political Parties: Cal Poly Hosts High-Profile Conservative Tour & Progressive Resource Fairhttps://keyt.com/news/san-luis-obispo-county/2026/10/21/clash-of-the-political-parties-cal-poly-hosts-high-profile-conservative-tour-progressive-resource-fair/
Bonnie, thank you for the research. If elected Sneddon will take the city down a rabbit hole that we will have a difficult time recovering from. Her lack of financial understanding is more than troubling it verges on incompetence. We cannot have her as mayor period!
The journal exaggerates Sneddon’s contribution to projects I would oppose. Clearly writing to a Democrat leaning audience, the journal misrepresents projects I would describe as wealth redistribution or government putting its thumb on the scale of the free market system. Could this be considered a campaign contribution?
I am reminded of when pharma, the FDA and the media conspired to withhold the lie that the Covid vaccine was 98% effective at preventing infection and spread. For fear that the lie might help Trump to win the 2020 presidential election, the lie was not told until after the election. This could have easily tipped the scales in favor of Trump in what was a very close election. This should definitely been considered a huge campaign contribution. It seems that the media has taken its mission as putting a thumb on the political scale to benefit Democrats and the weight of that thumb is the weight of lies.
You’re SO spot on Jeff! You ARE the MAN! Moderna's result was 94.1% efficacy against symptomatic COVID-19. Pfizer's was only 91% in the updated analysis reviewed for full approval. Way to catch them!
I no longer read the Montecito Journal unless for restaurant or entertainment reviews periodically. Since Jim Buckley sold what was an excellent local publication it has become yet another unabashed liberal rag. They should merge with The Independent and Noozhawk.
The Journal also cites endorsements for her Council candidacy as if they are current endorsements. Slight of hand like much of Sneddon’s accomplishments.
Good catch Michael. Now if she had just listened to former Mayor Lodge who stated she wished she never started MIG's stupid plan and narrowing of State St.
Great job of uncovering the actual Council moves and who created them. It takes time and you did it.
Sneddon has a checkered history of supposed supporting of business health and backing punishing regulations and planning that has hurt the City.
Your reference to Harmon and the State St. Master Plan was interesting. Here is am almost 100% quote from her, “I would prefer State St. be dug up and planted with grass” She could have cared less about business. Yet the close Left politics of the 3 female council members includes Sneddon; Harmon (out of towner); Santa Maria (out of towner) are now exposed as to their far Left politics. All 3 backed spending practices that have been detrimental to the city treasury and health of the city.
This report is damning to the Montecito Journal. But again, it was a huge supporter of Burns, who was in charge of the village business association. She later finally exposed herself as a radical Communist oriented female who joined a radical feminist group and then fled the country. The long term actions by her were clear to anyone who looked. Obviously, the Journal did not investigate or was willing to turn a blind eye.
“The Journal describes Sneddon as a courageous leader and cites her environmental work,…” But again, referring to Burns tenure on the association, they repeatedly refereed to her in the same light.
There is the old saying about shame on me, and shame on you.
Looks like the "fix is in" for Sneddon! Of course we have no election manipulation of votes is SB! Read Jerome R. Coris's book "Dumb-O-Crats" How the Democratic Party Became The Democratic Socialists of America.
The "fix" is only voters still falling for "endorsements" from the city employee unions and other Democrats organizations who have their fingers already well stuck in the tax-payer pie.
Voters can still fix the city union insider "fix". Just ask why do the major city employee union member campaign donations and endorsements so badly want certain candidates? (Have a "friend" sitting on the other side of the city bargaining table is the only reason.)
But also why do so many voters in this company town, where government is the largest employer, not care about even more deficit spending and draining out current reserve accounts that in short order will even hurt themselves?
Just say no to this rigged this now acknowledged insider game, city voters. It is that easy.
Do we vote for candidates compromised up front to the city employee unions? Or do we hold out for candidates offering some degree of independence from the city employee unions -who still offer arms-length bargaining?
The choices are very clear this election season. There are good independent candidates in all races who can stop this city union-endorsed race into the city's fiscal insolvency.
Do we want our city council to only be running only fully benefited employment agency for the city unions? Or do we want city council members, who remember they are spending our tax dollars for the benefit of all city residents and taxpayers?
Excellent work, Bonnie. Thank you for tracking the public record vs. the current campaign hyperbole finding value in mayor candidate Kristen Sneddon.
Long term observation of Sneddon's conduct and actions on city council have found find her totally lacking in both leadership or even basic understanding of the scope her job. Shame on the Montecito Journal for being so sloppy and egregiously biased in favor of a person so lacking in both qualities.
Sneddon's very recent public stumbles and admission she knows very little about the city budget should have triggered a five alarm flashing red light. She "feels" rent control works. She admits she doesn't understand the perilous state of city finances. Yet Journal's only response was to puff her up beyond all local recognition. What is in this for the Montecito Journal?
BTW: When will employee union contributions to political candidates fall under this following code section when it comes time to "return the campaign favors" in future collective bargaining session with those very same city employee union campaign supporters?
Bonnie reports: "Under Government Code Section 84308, contributions exceeding $500 from certain parties or participants can trigger disclosure and disqualification requirements in covered proceedings involving permits, licenses, contracts or other entitlements."
Thank you Bonnie for having the receipts and calling out the dishonest local media. The core issue for me is the non-stop dishonesty in local news coverage, always tipping the scales in favor of lefty politicians and causes.
Such was the case on Wednesday’s coverage by the flunkies at KEYT concerning the TPUSA at Cal Poly. Yes, apparently the auditorium at Poly was packed with enthusiastic young conservatives to hear among other speakers, Tulsi Gabbard and Riley Gaines, who was described as an “anti trans activist,” by KEYT nitwit, Jarrod Zinn.
The event was a big success with local conservatives, but you would never know this based on the overwhelming negative coverage by our local ABC affiliate. Specifically, their coverage focused on police presence, promotion of trans rights and alleged bigotry on the right. Interviewing only those with leftist grievance and virtually nothing from the actual attendees.
The segment showed a half empty auditorium, trying to give the impression that it was barely attended.
Shame on KEYT,
Clash of the Political Parties: Cal Poly Hosts High-Profile Conservative Tour & Progressive Resource Fairhttps://keyt.com/news/san-luis-obispo-county/2026/10/21/clash-of-the-political-parties-cal-poly-hosts-high-profile-conservative-tour-progressive-resource-fair/
Bonnie, thank you for the research. If elected Sneddon will take the city down a rabbit hole that we will have a difficult time recovering from. Her lack of financial understanding is more than troubling it verges on incompetence. We cannot have her as mayor period!
The journal exaggerates Sneddon’s contribution to projects I would oppose. Clearly writing to a Democrat leaning audience, the journal misrepresents projects I would describe as wealth redistribution or government putting its thumb on the scale of the free market system. Could this be considered a campaign contribution?
I am reminded of when pharma, the FDA and the media conspired to withhold the lie that the Covid vaccine was 98% effective at preventing infection and spread. For fear that the lie might help Trump to win the 2020 presidential election, the lie was not told until after the election. This could have easily tipped the scales in favor of Trump in what was a very close election. This should definitely been considered a huge campaign contribution. It seems that the media has taken its mission as putting a thumb on the political scale to benefit Democrats and the weight of that thumb is the weight of lies.
You’re SO spot on Jeff! You ARE the MAN! Moderna's result was 94.1% efficacy against symptomatic COVID-19. Pfizer's was only 91% in the updated analysis reviewed for full approval. Way to catch them!
Bonnie, You should send this to all the local media. We will look forward to seeing which, if any, have the integrity to print it.
Addison, they would never...
Addison DITTO Bonnie
Governments and much of the public have been on auto pilot for far too long.
That was a classic slice and dice. Who, I wonder, provided the Sneddon hyperbole for publication?
Excellent work Bonnie!
I no longer read the Montecito Journal unless for restaurant or entertainment reviews periodically. Since Jim Buckley sold what was an excellent local publication it has become yet another unabashed liberal rag. They should merge with The Independent and Noozhawk.
The Journal also cites endorsements for her Council candidacy as if they are current endorsements. Slight of hand like much of Sneddon’s accomplishments.
At an HLC meeting regarding State Street she asked for directions she should bring to Council. HLC unanimously recommended opening State Street.
I guess she had a lapse in understanding or memory as she didn’t relay their thoughts.
Good catch Michael. Now if she had just listened to former Mayor Lodge who stated she wished she never started MIG's stupid plan and narrowing of State St.
What a deceptive tail has been weaved.
Great job of uncovering the actual Council moves and who created them. It takes time and you did it.
Sneddon has a checkered history of supposed supporting of business health and backing punishing regulations and planning that has hurt the City.
Your reference to Harmon and the State St. Master Plan was interesting. Here is am almost 100% quote from her, “I would prefer State St. be dug up and planted with grass” She could have cared less about business. Yet the close Left politics of the 3 female council members includes Sneddon; Harmon (out of towner); Santa Maria (out of towner) are now exposed as to their far Left politics. All 3 backed spending practices that have been detrimental to the city treasury and health of the city.
This report is damning to the Montecito Journal. But again, it was a huge supporter of Burns, who was in charge of the village business association. She later finally exposed herself as a radical Communist oriented female who joined a radical feminist group and then fled the country. The long term actions by her were clear to anyone who looked. Obviously, the Journal did not investigate or was willing to turn a blind eye.
“The Journal describes Sneddon as a courageous leader and cites her environmental work,…” But again, referring to Burns tenure on the association, they repeatedly refereed to her in the same light.
There is the old saying about shame on me, and shame on you.
Nicely done.
Well done, Bonnie. Well done. Thank you. John
Looks like the "fix is in" for Sneddon! Of course we have no election manipulation of votes is SB! Read Jerome R. Coris's book "Dumb-O-Crats" How the Democratic Party Became The Democratic Socialists of America.
The "fix" is only voters still falling for "endorsements" from the city employee unions and other Democrats organizations who have their fingers already well stuck in the tax-payer pie.
Voters can still fix the city union insider "fix". Just ask why do the major city employee union member campaign donations and endorsements so badly want certain candidates? (Have a "friend" sitting on the other side of the city bargaining table is the only reason.)
But also why do so many voters in this company town, where government is the largest employer, not care about even more deficit spending and draining out current reserve accounts that in short order will even hurt themselves?
Just say no to this rigged this now acknowledged insider game, city voters. It is that easy.
Do we vote for candidates compromised up front to the city employee unions? Or do we hold out for candidates offering some degree of independence from the city employee unions -who still offer arms-length bargaining?
The choices are very clear this election season. There are good independent candidates in all races who can stop this city union-endorsed race into the city's fiscal insolvency.
Do we want our city council to only be running only fully benefited employment agency for the city unions? Or do we want city council members, who remember they are spending our tax dollars for the benefit of all city residents and taxpayers?